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“Oh?”
“Hosting the toy donation point in your shop. I’m sure it’ll bring extra customers in. And if you stock some of Mr. Rowe’s books, too, I’m absolutely sure people would come and buy them.”
Jack forced himself to smile again. “I’ll look into it.”
“Wonderful, wonderful. If you have chance to get out later and help with the last of the decorating, just let me know. I’m not allowed up a ladder any more—doctor’s orders—no repeats of last summer allowed.” He patted his generous backside. “Shouldn’t take too long with a couple of strong boys like you helping out.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Jack said, and looked over his shoulder. “Sorry, but I really need to get the shop opened up.”
“Of course, sorry to take up your time. We’ll see you later. For the decorating. And I’ll be in touch about the toy donations.”
Pugh bustled off down the street with Mrs. Tanenbaum in tow. Jack turned back to the door, silently fuming that he’d been steamrollered by a bunch of nosy old people.Again.
“Hey.”
Jack was ready to snap.
“What?” he demanded, whirling around to face Rowe.
Except the cobblestones were still a little slippery from last night’s icy rain and he almost ended up on his arse—Rowe grabbed Jack’s arm and steadied him.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” Jack said, shrugging off Rowe’s arm. “Can I help?”
“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay with all that. You don’t have to have me sign anything. Or buy books in specially. You kind of got blindsided there.”
Jack sighed heavily and pushed his fingers through his hair.
“It’s fine,” he said, surprised to find he actually meant it. Pugh was right—this would be good PR and a good sales opportunity. He’d be an idiot to turn it down.
“Are you sure? Because you looked like you were ready to kill both of them with sprigs of holly.”
Jack took a moment to think about how that would work, and decided he could probably do it, given enough time and resource.
“I don’t mind. Plus, it’s not every day I get to host aninternationally famouschildren’s author in the shop. Oh—and illustrator. Sorry.”
To Jack’s surprise, Rowe blushed. “That’s not—I don’t usually…”
Jack laughed. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. Just let me know what books I should order.”
“I’ll talk to my agent. See if she can arrange something.”
“Sure.”
Jack turned back to his shop, aware that he was now runningverylate to get set up.
Around five, Oliver noticed the Business Improvement people were back outside, this time loaded with piles of fresh green branches wrapped in white sheets.
On impulse, he got up and flipped the sign on the door toClosed, put on his coat and gloves, and went outside.
“Mr. Rowe!”
Oliver smiled. “Hello, Mrs. Tanenbaum. Is there anything I can help with?”
It only took a couple of minutes for Oliver to be set up with a group of men around his age, all of whom were attempting to follow the conflicting instructions from multiple little old ladies.
“Russell,” one guy said, offering Oliver his hand to shake.
